The purpose of restorative circles is to develop relationships, build communities and respond to conflicts and problems that arise. The basic structure is easy to learn - you gather people in a circle and follow the guidelines of the type of circle you are using. 

There are always two guidelines that must always be true. 1) only let participants speak one at a time. Don’t allow interruptions while others are talking. By doing this, you encourage everyone to actively listen while giving each of them an equal chance to respond. 2) don’t pass judgement but seek to understand problems. Your circle’s goal isn’t to pass judgement and define punishment. Instead, challenge those involved to understand why the conflict happened, and how it affected others.

Talking Stick

A talking piece is a meaningful object that the community members can relate to or something that has meaning to someone in the group. The person holding the talking piece is the only one who may speak. Everyone else in the circle is actively listening and trying not to spend time thinking about what they are going to say. The talking piece usually moves in a circular format. Every person has the opportunity to speak and the right to pass if they choose. Even though someone may pass, they must still be present and participate. For our virtual circle, we will be going in alphabetical order since we cannot physically pass the talking stick.”

Guidelines

1. Respect the talking piece: Everyone listens, everyone has a turn.
2. Speak from the heart: Your truth, your perspective, your experiences
3. Listen from the heart: Let go of stories that make it hard to hear each other
4. Trust that you will know what to say No need to rehearse
5. Say just enough: Without feeling rushed, be concise and considerate of the time of others